Water naturally contains mineral salts such as calcium and magnesium. When present in high enough proportions, these minerals lead to so-called hard water. No matter how concentrated they are, over time such substances can lead to the accumulation of unsightly limescale on the outside of your faucets and other plumbing fixtures. Here are two ways to combat limescale deposits.
Vinegar
As you may already realize, soap is largely ineffective when it comes to removing limescale, no matter how hard or persistently you scrub. Fortunately, you can achieve much better results using another common substance: vinegar. While most any vinegar will do, white distilled vinegar is generally considered the most effective and least expensive option.
To remove limescale with vinegar, it is necessary to bring the two substances into contact for as long as possible. Generally speaking, the tougher the build-up, the longer it will take for the vinegar to eat through it. Faucets and taps can be effectively cleaned by soaking a sturdy paper towel with vinegar, and then wrapping it as tightly as possible around the affected area. Let it sit for a couple of hours before removing the towel. You should find that the limescale can now be more easily removed.
Water Softener
It is important to realize that tackling limescale with vinegar will simply remove address the symptom and not the source of the problem. To keep limescale from recurring again in the future, your best bet is to install a water softener. These appliances are attached to your home’s main water supply line. There they utilize a so-called ion exchange process to effectively remove calcium and magnesium from the water. This will not only eliminate limescale issues, but it will also act to increase the lifespan of your water heater and other water utilizing appliances.
To learn more about water softeners from a professional plumbing company, please contact the experts at Kew Forest Plumbing & Heating.
